Martin Bormann

File:Martin Bormann.jpg

Martin Bormann was a prominent Nazi official. He became head of the Party Chancellery (Parteikanzlei) and private secretary to Adolf Hitler. He was almost always at his Führer′s side. Hitler typically did not issue written orders, but gave them orally at meetings or in phone conversations; he also had Bormann convey orders.[1] He gained Hitler's trust and derived immense power within the Third Reich by using his position to control the flow of information and access to Hitler.[2] Bormann earned many enemies, including Heinrich Himmler.

He is believed to have committed suicide around May 2nd, 1945 following the collapse of the German defenses in Berlin.  However many conspiracy theorist believe that he died in South America after 1980.